“I am profoundly aware that graduating during this time and in this virtual way — unable to celebrate in person this important milestone in your lives with your friends, classmates and teachers — is extremely difficult. I deeply empathize with the situation in which you find yourselves,” said the former classics major, in his message to Holy Cross students on Friday.

“However, I encourage you to stay strong and unflinching. The country and the world need your talent, your energy, your resolve and your character.”

Just one day earlier, Fauci dropped in for a remote address to Johns Hopkins.

“All of you, directly or indirectly,” he told students, “will be doing your part together with the rest of us to come out from under the shadow of this pandemic.”

A few months ago, the 79-year-old immunologist may have made for an unlikely celebrity guest at college commencement ceremonies. But Fauci’s prominent role at President Trump’s frequent coronavirus briefings has turned him into one of the most recognizable doctors in the country — the subject of tribute songs, posters and even his own fan club.

In his comments to new graduates at both schools, he emphasized that the global pandemic presents not only dangers but also opportunities to use the education and “moral mentorship” they had worked so hard to obtain in the classroom.

“Now is the time, if ever there was one,” he told Holy Cross, “for us to care selflessly about one another.”

Public Records

Privacy

Privacy Policy

WBHM recognizes that privacy is important to wbhm.org users and does not collect personally identifying information from the WBHM website unless you choose to provide that information to us.

WBHM and UAB use cookies and similar technologies to record your visit to our websites and will supply ads about our services as you travel the internet. Third parties may also use cookies and similar technologies to collect or receive information from our website or elsewhere on the internet and use that information to provide measurement services and targeted ads. You may opt out of third-party vendor’s use of these advertising cookies by visiting www.aboutads.info/choices.

If you have any questions or comments concerning our privacy policy, please contact us via e-mail at membership@wbhm.org or through the “Contact Us” page.